Beholding Jesus or Straddling the Fence?

By beholding we become changed. Proverbs 23: 7 tells us, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” I see so many Christians today who want to have their cake and eat it, too. They do not see a need to separate themselves from the world. They are straddling the fence. But the Bible tells us that by beholding sin, we become changed.It is frightening to me, to see men, women, young people going to church each week and following the world the rest of the week. Listening to trashy music. Viewing television shows and films filled with sex, bad language, and violence.

 Jesus tells us that a man who looks at a woman in lust has committed adultery in his heart. Are we sinning vicariously through books, films, television, and music? How can you witness to those around you when you are partaking of the world? What is it about your faith that would make a non-believer feel a need to change? …

 These are important questions to ponder. The things you behold will change you. You may not see the changes. You may not feel it. But little by little you are allowing Satan to mold your heart, changing your thoughts. What master are you serving today?

 If your favorite music group is a slave to Satan, how long before you are too? There will come a time when it is too late to choose the good. There will come a time when it is too late to say, “Lord, You are my Saviour.”

 Christians don’t like to think about it. There are many sitting in church each week who will not have a place in heaven because their life here on earth, was not seeking God’s will. Rather they were seeking their own glory by doing God’s work on the outside, when inside they did not really know Jesus.

 Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7: 21- 23

 While we cannot “work our way to heaven,” we have a duty to our Lord to lead a pure life. While no one is perfect, it is possible to say no to those things that do not glorify God in our lives.

 “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2: 26. Our faith is justified by our works. Our works are the outward showing of our faith. “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” James 2: 18.

 There are many things that are of this world, that are pure, clean, and fun. And there are many things that detract from our faith. It is up to us to choose the good and to leave behind the bad. Remember, “[sisters], whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Pilippians 4: 8.

“Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1: 29